As the first quarter wrapped, the Jazz were holding a 36-27 lead over the Lakers, and yes, LeBron James had a big, fat zero staring back at him. His first triple of the historic 23rd season finally came in the second quarter, rounding out a first 15 minutes that also included just two rebounds and four assists. Starting as expected alongside Dončić, Reaves, Ayton, and Hachimura, LeBron found himself outscored by his own teammates early on. Fans, of course, didn’t hold back, flooding social media with complaints…

Before we even talk about the scoreboard, let’s appreciate the fact that we’re watching history unfold.

LeBron James, sidelined for the first 14 games thanks to a stubborn case of sciatica, is back. At 40, he’s about to make NBA history as the first player to step onto the court for a 23rd season, officially breaking Vince Carter’s tie. Forget stats for a second, this is the kind of milestone that makes you stop mid-scroll and say, “Whoa, he’s still doing this?”

Monday’s practice was the first real taste of LeBron in full action. He jumped into a 5-on-5 with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, while coach JJ Redick had a laugh introducing him as a “new player.” The 40-year-old seemed half thrilled, half cautious, admitting, “My lungs felt like a newborn baby. I gotta get my lungs back to a grown man and my voice is already gone. It feels good, feels good to be out here with the guys.” 

The week before, LeBron was already sneaking in work with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, running warm-ups and a dozen live possessions. ESPN insiders called it “intense,” and by Thursday, the King reported zero pain. Last season’s 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds were a distant memory, but expectations were sky-high anyway.

History was waiting, fans were watching, and the 23rd season circus, complete with all the quirks, jokes, and drama only LeBron can deliver, was officially rolling. Fans, however, didn’t hold back once LeBron hit the court. Social media immediately lit up.

LeBron James faces early backlash in 23rd season debut, draws unusual comparison with son Bronny

One fan hit right at the core: “LeBron JUST came back and already not playing D 😭.” 

It’s a fair point.

LeBron’s defense isn’t what it used to be. Back in his prime, his Defensive Win Shares (DWS) hovered around 4, even peaking at 5.7 and 6.5 in 2006-07 and 2008-09, respectively. But over the last few years, it’s been a slow slide, from 3.0 in 2016-17 down to 2.3 in 2021-22, with the previous season landing at 2.8.

The Lakers themselves are a mixed bag. Despite holding the NBA’s fifth-best record, they sit 14th in net rating, lacking a top-10 offense or defense. That’s where LeBron’s magic should come in. Los Angeles needs him to operate in a hybrid role: sometimes handling the ball, sometimes off-ball, and yes, occasionally sliding into defensive assignments.

Another fan wrote: “LeBron’s first game of the season and so far he’s playing like Bronny.”

After Bronny’s unforgettable zero-point outing on Saturday, even with the “starter” tag, he barely got a taste of the action, just 10 minutes on the floor, finishing 0-for-2, with a lone rebound, an assist, and a steal. He missed a 3-pointer early, watched another wide-open shot bounce off the rim…

So you can see why fans were thrilled to see the King himself step into the starting lineup, until the first quarter happened. LeBron James was supposed to erase that blank stat line with King-level dominance. But now it is what it is. 

Another fan reacted: “This is why the Lakers did not extend his contract.”

Ouch. Harsh, but a little hasty. The real story? LeBron is on a massive $52.6 million deal after he exercised him player option for the final year ahead of free agency. That means he’s locked in for the 2025-26 season, but come next summer, the King becomes an unrestricted free agent. LA might hope he sticks around, but they’re also preparing for the possibility of a split. For now, it’s all speculation, but July 2026 could bring some blockbuster decisions. 

Another fan was quick to grumble: “LeBron James is not even making any attempt to score.”

Harsh, but let’s pump the brakes a bit. Last season, James had an offensive rating of 116.9, and while his Offensive Win Shares peaked at 14.6 back in 2012-13, they still clocked in at 4.9 last year. Don’t forget-LeBron already holds a staggering 42,184 regular-season points, and 50,473 when you throw in the playoffs. So yes, the offense might look quiet at first, but give the King a few minutes to settle in. History suggests he’ll find his rhythm, and those buckets are coming.

Another netizen didn’t hold back: “Just retire gramps.” 

But “gramps” doesn’t quite capture a guy who willingly drags himself out of bed at 4 a.m. for a morning run in the offseason. LeBron still has plenty of gas in the tank, though age and injuries are factors the Lakers must navigate. He’s battled a stubborn nerve issue and the lingering effects of a knee ligament sprain from last year’s first-round loss to the Wolves.

On the challenges, LeBron James reflected, “So everything kind of changed. My whole dynamic changed of how I was going to prepare for the season, but it’s all a blessing in disguise.” And if history is any guide, that blessing is about to make itself very visible on the court.